Following the occupation of France in the summer of 1940, foreign consulates were faced with large numbers of Jews, desperately trying to obtain visas in order to leave Nazi dominated territories. Faced with the refugee crisis, Portugal restricted the entry of refugees, and when Germany invaded Belgium and the Netherlands, prohibited further crossings by refugees, especially Jewish refugees. This meant that the last avenue of hope was now closed for thousands of refugees, including many Jews, who had fled southwards, hoping to leave France through Spain and Portugal. Many congregated at the Portuguese consulate in Bordeaux struggling to obtain the piece of paper that would extricate them from France.
Yad Vashem Photo Archives, 4613/823
The Insubordinate Consul
Seeing the terrible plight of the refugees, Sousa Mendes decided to disobey his government’s explicit instruction. He received a delegation of refugees at the consulate, headed by Rabbi Haim Krieger, and promised transit visas to everyone in need. He even added that those who could not pay the visa fees would receive the documents free of charge. He then set up an improvised office in the consulate and, with the help of two of his sons and several Jews who were waiting nearby, began to issue entrance permits. Sousa Mendes toiled for three days and three nights, allowing himself not a moment’s rest and collapsing in exhaustion once the job was done. Between 15 and 22 June 1940 Sousa Mendes issued a total of 1,575 visas.
Rumors about Sousa Mendes’ actions reached Lisbon, which summarily ordered him to return to his homeland at once. Two men were sent to escort him back to Portugal. On the way, still in France, they passed the Portuguese consulate in Bayonne. Sousa Mendes saw a crowd of hundreds of people at the consulate’s doors. Although he had been recalled, Sousa Mendes entered the consulate and, ignoring the objections of the local consul, ordered the Consulate employees to issue visas to all applicants at once.
Back in Lisbon, Sousa Mendes was brought before a disciplinary panel and dismissed from his position in the Foreign Ministry. This left him destitute and unable to support his family of 13 children. Nevertheless, he told Rabbi Krieger, whom he had helped in Bordeaux:
"If thousands of Jews are suffering because of one Christian [Hitler], surely one Christian may suffer for so many Jews.”
Mendes died penniless in 1954. Only in 1988, thanks to external pressure and his children’s efforts, did his government grant him total exoneration.
On 18 October 1966, Yad Vashem recognized Aristides de Sousa Mendes as Righteous Among the Nations.
